Ready, Set, Spring Forward: 6 Rituals To Celebrate The Spring Equinox

Nowruz, or Persian New Year, translates to “new day” and is a celebration of hope and possibilities that times with the spring equinox. It is celebrated in Turkey, Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan on March 21. This year Nowruz not only begins a new year but starts a new century as well: The year 1400, according to the Persian calendar. Nowruz is generally a secular holiday, but members of some religions, including Zoroastrianism, members of the Baháʼí Faith, and some Muslims, consider it a holy day.

Traditionally, Nowruz calls for a lavish feast. The Haft-sin table has seven dishes starting with the Farsi letter sin (س). Translated, these dishes often include sprouts (typically lentil, wheat, barley, or mung bean), apples, garlic, Persian olives, garlic, sumac, samanu (wheat germ pudding), and vinegar. There are often also painted and dyed eggs, mirrors, water bowls, goldfish, coins, flowers, candles, candy, and other festive symbols on the table as well.

Consider holding your own feast for fresh and prosperous energy with any dishes that you and your family associate with celebration and new beginnings.